Mobile banking service disappoints

STUNNED BY the fact that it is now actually possible to get your bank balance sent to your mobile phone, most publications have overlooked the long list of exclusions - those handsets which don't support the new Monilink software.

The list includes of incompatible phones includes: - All Windows CE; NEC; Philips; Sanyo; Sendo; Orange SPV and all Orange 3G devices (except the Nokia 6630). Also not covered are T-mobile Sidekick PDAs and the 02 X series. Plus the INQ's personal favourite - all Blackberries.

That's a pretty impressive list. What does Monilink actually offer which existing text based systems can't? Well, because it is linked to Link cash machines, Monilink is able to offer real-time balance enquiries at 20 pence per go and mini statements for 25 pence a time.

Rebecca Fearnley, a principal researcher with the consumer research company, Which?, told the Financial Mail, "25p for a text message seems steep, so consumers should be wary of using the service too often."

Monilink is offered by mobileATM which is a joint venture between Morse and the Link Interchange Network.

The first live UK offering of Monilink came from First Direct/HSBC. Most of the other main High Street banks are expected to follow suit. The INQ believes you don't actually have to wait. Just go to the Monilink site and sign your debit cards up right now.

Incidentally Monilink says the chief requirements for running its Java applet are to be Java compatible; have at least 64Kb of free memory; and be connected either to GPRS (2.5G) or 3G.

Um. How exactly does that rule all Blackberries out, then? µ

L'INQ
Monilink